Monday, December 3, 2007

Our story

I heard the doorbell ring and quickly finished putting on my lipstick. One last glance in the mirror told me I'd made a good choice. I smiled at my reflection as I looked down at the red dress. I knew he would like it. I grabbed my coat, and ran to the door where he was waiting.

What was it about this man that made my heart quiver every time I saw him? He leaned casually against the railing, waiting for me. He was so dashing in a suit. He was tall and slim, and his toned muscles were ever-so-visible through his shirt. I wondered for the hundredth time what it was he saw in me.

He held my hand as we walked out to his car. He seemed distant tonight, distracted. He must have sensed my unease, and squeezed my hand in reassurance.

In the car, we talked quietly about our day. Simple, easy conversation. That's how it always was with him. No awkwardness, no pretense - it was effortless and comfortable. It felt like nothing I'd ever known. It felt like home.

We got to the restaurant and he held the door for me. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed his hands were shaking. Insecurities clouded my mind. Had he brought me here to end it? Was this daydream romance going to be over so soon? I marveled at how attached I had grown to this man in such a short time. He was a piece my heart had been missing. His sudden arrival in my life had made me feel whole for the first time. I doubted my heart could take it if he walked away now. I took a deep breath and followed him to our table.

The waitress came and took our orders. He barely glanced at the menu and ordered the exact same thing as I did. We continued talking - the familiar ease washing over me. I began to let the doubts slip away. I focused instead on his dimples and slight smile as he talked. I let my eyes wander up to his deep blue eyes, surrounded by long, dark lashes. Lashes so perfect that women everywhere wept with envy.

After we had eaten, the hostess approached our table. In her hand was a small, white box. She smiled as she handed me the gift.

"The boutique next door is having a special, and some of our guests get gifts tonight," she said.

I looked up at him, smiling in my excitement across the table.

I tugged on the ribbon and began to unwrap the small box. He was silent. Watching me.

Inside the box was a silver bell. It was beautiful. I could hardly believe my luck. Such an unexpected prize. I never won anything.

But then I noticed it. There was writing on the outside of the bell. And inside...there was a ring.

No -- could it be?

I looked at him as tears filled my eyes. He stood up. He swiftly slid out his chair and put his napkin on the table.

He got down on one knee, visibly shaking.

"Will you marry me?" he asked, terrified.

Tears spilled down my cheeks and I ran into his strong arms.

"Yes, yes, I will marry you."

He took me in his arms and kissed me. The restaurant around us erupted in cheers and applause. For a moment, I had forgotten there was anyone but us in the room.

When the tears slowed enough that I finally could see, I looked at my beautiful, silver bell. He'd had it engraved to read, "You are the ring in my bell." He gently took the ring out of the bell and slipped it on my left hand.

It was a perfect fit.

__________________________________________

And so on that fateful night, 14 years ago today, I promised to be his wife.

And he has lived every day of his life since then in pursuit of my complete and utter happiness.

I love you, baby.

38 comments:

danandcindy said...

It was pretty apparent from the beginning that Josh was somebody special. It made your lame little brother pretty happy to see you end up with such a great guy. It was a fun time for me to observe you, it's what I want for my daughter when she grows up.

Annie said...

Happy engage-a-versary! How is it that I have never heard your engagement story before?! You two are a fantastic match. Glad you've made such a great life together.
A.

AMY said...

Wow, that gave me cold chills! I kept waiting for you to quote the novel you stole that story from. You could sell that story. Maybe for 19 millions to call your own! Happy Anniversary!

Kimberly said...

14 years...WOW!! I loved the way you told your story...you could be the next Stephenie Meyer!

Lisa-Marie said...

Sigh.

And now we need to hear all about "His sudden arrival in my life..." You know, like a Paul Harvey, "And Now You Know the Rest of the Story."

June Cutoff Cash said...

That was a nice story.

Maybe he knew you'd someday be a millionsaire.

Shallow me wants to know, did he then get you a Christmas gift on TOP of that? Because if I were him I would keep riding the "Hey! I just got you a ring!" train.

Family Adventure said...

Oh Stie, how beautiful! And by that I mean both the proposal *and* the writing.

It gave me chills!

Have a wonderful anniversary :)

Heidi

Unknown said...

That was great...I love a good romance with a happy ending. And I LOVE what he had engraved on the bell...if I know anyone who will be proposing in the future, I'm going to tell them to steal it! Happy Anniversary!

Rissa and Jared said...

bahhh! how cute is he?! what a darling story you two have. I just got married so things like this make me all warm and fuzzy inside :)

TheCatLord said...

that was a beautiful story stie! do you scrapbook? you should totally scrap and journal that story. and a beautiful comment from dan too-i bout fell over!

Musings of a Housewife said...

I have tears. Sniff. :-)

Paige said...

Very cool. is it wrong to be singing "you can ring my beeeeeeell, ring my bell, my bell, ring my bell."

kelly said...

as always... a beautiful story! thanks for sharing.

kelly said...

as always... a beautiful story! thanks for sharing.

Emily said...

Great catching up on your posts and I loved hearing your story. Like Annie said, can't believe I haven't hear it before!

Hollyween said...

Just like Amy, I kept waiting for the Novel to show up.
Wow. That's all I can say. Wow. What a great guy!

Bridget said...

Wow, I was on the edge of my seat! You really did catch a winner with Josh. You guys are great together. Happy engagement day to you!

Lisa said...

That was amazing.
"You are the ring in my bell"???
Be still my heart. What a great guy he must be.

Unknown said...

I came for sarcasm and get Harlequin?

I want MORE!!!!!!!

Jake said...

I remember that day and the excitement on our end of the family. We were just so happy he'd found such a beautiful girl and that she actually WANTED to join our crazy crew!

I think it takes a good woman to make a good man. You took over where Oma left off and now he is a real great catch! Happy anniv and congrats to you both!!!

Michael said...

Despite what Kimberly says, you are way better than Stephanie Meyer. Don't let her bring you down like that. At least Josh didn't end up being a vampire...yet. Congrats!

Jessica said...

Did you tell Paige that yes it was wrong? Sheesh.

D-dawg said...

LOVE IT! Such a sweet story! I needed this little read of romance tonight since my husband has gone to bed and there's no hope for any real romance tonight (o:

laina kay said...

Awww... such a sweet story! Love the engraved silver bell. So nice when a guy gets creative!

Celia Fae said...

I want to see proof of the big muscles and stuff. I do like his dimples, though, and he seems to be retaining his hair well.

Lovely story. Makes me want to write my own. I especially like the part about how his hands were shaking so you thought he was breaking up with you. He is fancy to keep you on your toes.

Scrapbooks by Amanda said...

How sweet! Congrats of 14 years, that is great!

Pedaling said...

Loved this entry.
Happy memories, happy life.
Congratulations.

Emy5 said...

HI Bella!

Loved your story. By next April we'll have been married 14 years apiece.

Here's to living happily ever after

Anonymous said...

Happy day the 3rd of Dec!

Chatter said...

What a beautiful story! That was way too sweet. Thanks for throwing a little romance my way. I'm feeling a need for a little bit of that...

Annie said...

Do you think Cresce.Net got the romance of it all? He certainly has a lot to say! In portugese, no less.

On second read, are you sure Oma didn't have a hand in this whole engagement set-up? I think Josh is awesome but I don't remember gift giving being one of his absolute strongest suits. (Hi Josh! I might be wrong here! Don't be mad...) He may have to do a repeat performance this year to prove his originality, don't you think?

Holly said...

So, has Hollywood talked to your people about the movie rights yet? :)

Seriously beautiful story--and precious memory too I'm sure.

I'm off for a Kleenex and to ask my hubs where my bell is.

Travelin'Oma said...

I slightly remember a cartwheeling kid saying he had bought the rind the night before, and had the restaurant all ready reserved and prepared.

There were a few dreamy, love-sick sisters throwing out suggestion, but in the end it was it all Josh. We had doubted his romantic skills until Pete came upstairs and informed us they were kissing on Josh's bed, and their "feet were not on the floor."

Later Marta tagged along on an outing to Temple Square to see the Christmas lights, and was ditched at ever twist in the path, only to go back and find them busy with each other, oblivious to the fact that they had a little sister observing every kiss in detail. It's the natural way for education in love to be taught. You were so good at it, too! I can't wait to tell the lovey-dovey stories to your pure-boy sons.

danandcindy said...

Here's a translation of your Crescenet friend's post.

Hi, I found your blog on Google it is very interesting I liked this post. I would like to speak about CresceNet. Crescenet is a supplier of internet dialup that pays its users by the time they are connected. Exactly this that you read, they are paying you to connect. The supplier pays 20 cents per hour of dialup connection with a local call for more than 2100 cities in Brazil. Crescenet has a connection accelerator that leaves your connection up to 10 times faster. They who use broadband and earn also, all you have to do is register on Crescenet and when you sleep connect to dialup, it is possible to pay for DSL(?) just with the money from dialup. The time spent with the telephone is minimal and the repayment of Crescenet is generous. If you would like a link to Crescenet (www.provedorcrescenet.com) in your blog, I would be grateful, see you later, and success to you. Se for possivel ponha o CresceNet(www.provedorcrescenet.com) no seu blog, obrigado. Tchau Amigo. By the way, I’ve been watching you, and I think you are hot, I’ve been stalking you in Brazil from the webcams I put up around your home.

mama jo said...

that is a great story...a perfect beginning for a wonderful couple.

crystal said...

You're going to leave us hanging like that?!?!?!! Where's the 2nd installment? This gave me chills.

The good kind.

Amz said...

What a wonderfully romantic story! And written so well! You never disappoint...your blog is wonderful.

Anonymous said...

That's such a romantic story!! Simply wonderful!! I really enjoy your blog! You are a fantastic writer!